How To Freeze Corn On The Cob

If you are like me and you love fresh summer corn and you find yourself with a good many, you might be wondering what to do with it. I find that freezing it is the best way to keep that just picked from the garden taste, not to mention you can still have great tasting corn even when the days turn cooler and it’s hard to find.

I have tried freezing corn two ways, blanching them first and without blanching them. Yes, blanching them does take time but the corn keeps that nice, sweet taste. Freezing them without blanching them, the corn seemed to taste a little bland and the kernels were not as tender, but they still tasted good. So really I think it’s a preference…to blanch or not to blanch that is the question….well a question only you will have an answer to.

No matter the route you choose, when you get your fresh corn, refrigerate and either use it all quickly or freeze it within a day or two. The longer corn sits, the sugars inside the corn starts to turn to starch and it starts to lose flavor. Below is how you can freeze your corn so you can continue to enjoy them coated in butter, slathered in a mixture of cheese, mayo and herbs, or take the kernels off of the cob and come up with a show stopping side dish.

Here is how you can freeze your corn.

Instructions:

1. Remove the husks and silk from the corn. You might need to use a soft brush. I have also used a damp paper towel.

2. Blanch the corn: Fill a large pot with water. Do not fill the pot up to the top with water, leave enough room for the corn or the water will spill out once the corn is added. Bring to a boil and add the corn. Do not add salt to the water. This makes the kernels less tender.

Boil for about 4 minutes.

3. Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and water. Place the corn in the ice water. This will stop it from cooking.

If you have a lot of corn, you might have to use more than one bowl. Keep corn in the ice water until the corn is cold.

4. Let the corn air dry. When completely dry, wrap each ear in plastic wrap.

You don’t have to do this step, but I have found it helps keep the corn from forming ice crystals while freezing.

5. Place the wrapped corn in a labeled zip top freezer bag and try to remove as much of the air as possible. Freeze for 8 to 12 months.

Now you can enjoy corn all year around.

If you need directions on how you can cook some of that tasty, sweet corn, click on the link to my earlier post Air Fryer Corn On The Cob with Smoky Parmesan Cilantro Butter . You will find directions on how to cook corn on the cob in the air fryer, on the grill, in the microwave and by boiling it.

Enjoy

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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob with Smoky Parmesan Cilantro Butter

One thing I love about summer is getting fresh corn. My step dad scored well with some right out of the garden….a friend’s garden at any rate… and passed some of that delicious bounty on to us. At first I was going to do the normal salt and butter and that’s always good too, but this corn already has such a great, sweet flavor that I wanted to add a little something to it to make it extra special. My second thought was I really wanted to grill the corn, but it’s been so hot here in the south that the thought of standing outside in the heat over a hot grill really didn’t thrill me. So what is a girl to do, but turn to the air fryer. I don’t know if you have ever cooked corn in an air fryer…. it was my first time…but if you can’t grill it, the air fryer is defiantly the next best thing.

This corn turned out really tasty. It had a few light charred bits that really gives it that grilled taste and adding the smoky parmesan cilantro butter….oh my! It really adds so much to an already great tasting corn. The butter takes on the subtle flavor of the paprika and cilantro, then you get the slight nutty taste of the parmesan and a little heat…not too much mind you unless you want more….from the chili. The hint of lime really adds so much to it as well. Don’t shy away from the mayonnaise, it adds a nice silky texture without tasting…well…like mayonnaise.

We had this paired with homemade cheese burgers. I think hubby and I ate more of this corn than we did the burgers.

If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t fret, this will still taste just as amazing even if cooked on the grill, boiled or even in cooked in the microwave. Just slather on that smoky parmesan butter at the end to make your taste buds sing.

I also have included below not only air fryer directions, but other methods as well.

Here’s what you need:

*1/4 cup softened butter
*1 TBS mayonnaise
*1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
*1 tsp. dried cilantro or 1 TBS fresh cilantro plus more for garnish; I used dried because it seemed to work better for this
*1 1/2 TBS grated parmesan cheese
*1/4 to 1/2 tsp chili powder
*1 tsp. lime juice
*olive oil or canola oil; you can omit this if you are not cooking the corn in the air fryer or on the grill.
*corn on the cob, husks and silk removed

In a small bowl mix together the butter, mayonnaise, paprika, cilantro, parmesan cheese, chili powder and lime juice; set aside.

If you are making this a head of time wait to add the lime juice right before using.

Air Fryer Directions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°

Brush the corn with canola or olive oil

place in to the air fryer basket.

Cook for 5 minutes and turn the corn over. Cook for another 4 minutes or until corn is cooked.

*Note* Cooking time will depend on the size and brand of the air fryer.

Carefully remove the corn and brush or spoon the butter mixture on to the corn.

How can you resist that delectable looking buttered corn.

Serve as a side or grab a few ears and make it a meal. I can assure you this will end up being the star of your plate.

Grilling Directions:

Brush the corn with oil

Place the corn on the grill at medium high heat.

Grill for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the corn is done, turning frequently.

Brush or spoon the butter mixture on to the corn.

Microwave Directions:

Place the corn in a deep microwave safe cooking dish. Add about 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the dish. Place plastic wrap over the top and microwave on high

For 1-2 ears 3 to 4 minutes or until corn is tender

4 ears 5 to 6 minutes or until corn is tender

*Note* cooking times may depend on the size and power of the microwave

Brush or spoon the butter mixture on to the corn.

Boiling Directions:

Fill a large pot with water, season with salt if desired. Bring the water to boil and add the corn. Be sure not to over fill the pot or the water will splash out when you add the corn.

Boil for about 4 to 5 minutes or until the corn is tender.

Carefully remove the corn

Brush or spoon the butter mixture on to the corn.

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